June/July 2012 - Coulee Region Women Magazine
June/July 2012 - Coulee Region Women Magazine
June/July 2012 - Coulee Region Women Magazine
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| cAreerS |<br />
Surrounded by rolling hills, fresh waters and towering<br />
cliffs about 20 miles north of La Crosse sits Galesville, a small town<br />
known for its historic downtown centered on the town square.<br />
While the town might be best known for the buildings themselves,<br />
it is the businesses housed within those buildings that have added<br />
life to the community for years.<br />
The Common Market, Renaissance Bakery, Jackie O’s and the<br />
Treasure Chest are staples of the town and are all owned by women.<br />
Each business offers its own atmosphere and products, but what they<br />
all have in common is the business owners’ desire to offer something<br />
unique to their customers.<br />
A little bit of everything at the Common market<br />
Stepping into the Common Market (pictured above) is, in a way,<br />
like stepping back into time. That’s exactly how Joyce Johnson, owner<br />
of the market for the past 26 years, likes it.<br />
“What I really like about [the Common Market] is the uniqueness<br />
of it,” she says. “It feels like an old country market. It has a good feeling.”<br />
34 JUNE/JULY <strong>2012</strong> www.crwmagazine.com<br />
A Dream of a Little Shop<br />
<strong>Women</strong> bring business, tourists and community to Galesville.<br />
BY JeSSie FOSS<br />
contributed photos<br />
When Johnson bought the business, her plan was to try it for five<br />
years, but she says the demand for the store to stay open and the<br />
amazing journey of owning the store is what has kept her going for<br />
many more.<br />
Johnson’s business features a little bit of everything. Lining the<br />
shelves are items ranging from spices to vitamins to coffee to produce<br />
and gift items. She tries to offer a large variety and as many local<br />
products as possible.<br />
Johnson says her family and the Galesville community have been<br />
a huge help, and her basic philosophy is to give back to the town<br />
she loves.<br />
“I call it community service,” she says of running the market. It<br />
is that caring attitude and hometown feel of the store that Johnson<br />
believes keep people coming back instead of heading off to larger,<br />
more modern supermarkets.<br />
The Common Market is located at 19853 E. Gale Ave. Those<br />
looking for just about anything can visit Monday through Saturday<br />
from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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